Saints change ‘dynamic’ of automatic promotion race
Russell Martin said the “dynamic” of the race for automatic promotion had changed after Southampton’s domination of Preston North End.
Saints had looked destined for a play-off place after three defeats in four games during February, but three home wins in seven days has hauled them to within four points of second place. A Che Adams double and Stuart Armstrong’s fourth goal of the season sealed the points and Saints manager Martin said: “I think it was a brilliant performance with some really beautiful stuff.
“It has been a big week for us. It has changed the dynamic. We were written off some point ago but the players have stuck at it and been resilient. We have the opportunity to take the points off teams around
us but if we don’t take care of the next one against Cardiff then the others become a bit pointless.”
Adams opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he tapped in Adam Armstrong’s centre for his 100th career goal. He doubled his tally by finishing a fine team move with a cool finish before Stuart Armstrong capitalised on a defensive howler to smash in.
The only taint on the evening was an Achilles injury to goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in the warmup that looked to have ended his season.
Martin, who promoted Alex Mccarthy, said: “He has felt something in his Achilles and will have a scan tomorrow. We don’t expect to see him any time soon and we’ll give him all the support he needs.”
Preston manager Ryan Lowe added: “The game plan that we set out to do in the first half was nowhere near. You can’t give a team like Southampton chances like that because they’re a fantastic team. They could end up going up automatically, if not they’re going to be a real force in the play-offs.”
(4-3-3) Mccarthy; Walker-peters, Harwood-bellis, Bednarek, Manning; S Armstrong (Rothwell 70), Downes (Charles h-t), Aribo (Smallbone 70); Brooks (Sulemana 83, Adams (Edozie 76), A Armstrong.
Subs Lumley (g), Stephens, Bree, Fraser.
Preston (3-4-1-2) Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Holmes (Cunningham 39), Whatmough (Ledson 71), Mawene (Browne 70), Brady; Frokjaer-jensen; Osmajic (Evans 79), Riis (Keane h-t). Subs Cornell (g), Best, Seary, Stewart.
Booked Mawene, Holmes.
Referee Samuel Barrott (West Yorkshire).